Shoe pressing apparatus



July 15, 1947. F. DAWSON SHOE PRES SING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJuly 3, 1945 mmw A S Q WQ July 15, 1947. .F. DAWSON SHOE PRESSINGAPPARATUS Filed July 3. 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 15, 1947. A DAWSON2,423,878

SHOE PRESSING APPARATUS Filed July 3, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 July 15,1947. wso

SHOE PRESSING APPARATUS Filed July 3, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet July 15, 1947.F. DAWSON SHOE PRESSING APPARATUS Filed July s, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 N.III II llll Patented July 15, 1947 SHOE PRESSING APPARATUS Fred Dawson,West Roxbury, Mass, assignor to Compo Shoe Machinery Corporation,Boston, Mass, a corporation of Delaware Application July 3, 1945, SerialNo. 602,979

37 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for use in the manufacture offootwear and more particularly to apparatus for applying pressure toshoe bottoms during such operations as cement sole attaching and thelike.

In pressing soles to shoe bottoms, especially to the bottoms of Weltedshoes, it is necessary to hold the welt extension around the forepart ofthe shoe in a substantially flat plane, and to apply only suflicie-ntpressure to the w'elt to counteract the pressure applied by the solepressing pad in order to prevent the welt and sole extension frombending or curling upwardly and to avoid grinning at the inseam.

At the inside shank portion of the shoe, it is preferable that the weltand sole extension be curled upwardly so that the welt lies snuglyagainst the outside of the shoe upper. To accomplish this, especiallywhen heavy outsoles are used, a considerable amount of pressure isrequired which is far beyond that normally required to press theforepart of the outsole to the shoe bottom and to retain its desiredflatness.

Heretofore, if the sole pressing pad pressure was increased in order togive the desired character to the inside shank portion of the shoe, theforepart of the sole pressing pad would dilate or balloon excessively.causing the welt hold-down to be lifted and the sole extension and weltto curl resulting in unsightl shoe bottoms and much time and effort hadto be expended in heating out and levelling operations to restore thedesired flatness to the forepart of the shoe.

Also, when pressing soles to shoes with previous presses havinginflatable sole pressing pads, frequent adjustment of the shoe and lastcontacting members had to be made to compensate for the Variance in lastheights, otherwise, the ballooning of the sole pressing pad around someshoes would be excessive and, in some instances, would prevent propercontact of the welt hold-down with the welt, whereas with shoes of theother size extreme there would be insuificient ballooning of the pad toensure that the sole is pressed into intimate contact with the welt andshoe bottom.

An object of this invention is to provide a shoe press having adilatable sole pressing pad which is arranged to apply a high pressureto the shank portion of a shoe and a comparatively lower pressure to theforepart of the shoe.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shoe press having adilatable sole pressing pad and shoe contacting members, with suitablemeans for varying the distance between the pad and contacting members.in a manner which al- 2 lows the pad to balloon substantially uniformlyaround all sizes of shoes being processed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shoe press having adilatable sole pressing pad and a welt hold-down, with a stop to limitvertical displacement of the pad and connections between the stop andthe welt hold-down so that the effectiveness of the stop is variedaccording to the size of the shoe brought into engagement with the welthold-down and positioned upon the Dad.

A still further object of the invention is to provicle a shoe presshaving an inflatable sole pressing pad and shoe contacting members, withsimple means for automatically moving the pad and contacting memberstowards and away from each other as the pad is inflated and deflated, toallow for easy and unobstructed insertion and removal of a shoe from thepress.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will beexemplifled in the construction set forth and the scope of the inventionwill be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the inventionreference should be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a shoe press embodyingfeatures of my invention and showing the sole pressing pad in itselevated position and a sole being pressed thereby;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of

, the press shown in Fig. l but showing the sole pressing pad in itsdeflated condition;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along lines3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along lines 44of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the press shown in Fig. 1 and indicating that asize 9 shoe is positioned upon the sole pressing pad and is engaged bythe welt hold-down;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the base portion of the pressof this invention, but showing a modified form of sole pressing padconstruction in the inflated condition; and,

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but showing the modified form of padconstruction in a deflated condition.

Referring to the drawings and first to Figs. 1 and 5, there is shown inthe shoe pressing position a shoe press comprising a base casting [0having an upper surface forming a pad support II which may be contouredas shown to suit the shape of the average shoe bottom. Resting upon thepad support I I is a sole pressing pad assembly comprising a dilatablelower diaphragm I2, a dilatable shank pressing diaphragm I3, a rigidpressure resisting plate I4 and a dilatable sole pressing diaphragm I5which are secured together along their peripheralmarginsby the upper andlower oval shaped rigid clamping rings I5 and I1 and the spaced bolts I8in a manner which forms a lower fluid tight chamber I9 and an upperfluid tight chamber 29.

The entire sole pressing assembly is held to the pad support I l by theheaded studs 2| andZ2- which pass through holes formed in thelowerdiaphragm I2 and the base casting I9 and thenuts 23 and 24 threadedto the studs serve to' draw-the heads of the studs tightly against theinner face of the lower diaphragm I2 in a manner which makes a fluidtight seal.-

The lower chamber I9 is adapted to be inflated with a fluid which issupplied via the conventional inflating and deflating valve 25 screwthreaded into a boss 26 formed integral with the base casting I9, andthe conduit 2'! communicating with the bore 28 formed in the headed stud2i and which communicates with the lower chamber I9.

A- body of fluid, e. g. water, is confined inthe upper chamber 20'- andis displaced as the lower chamber I9 is inflated by virtue of thepressure diaphragm I 3 being dilated so asto enter an aperture 30-formed; in the rigid pressure resisting plate I4 and located beneath theportion of the sole-pressing pad I5 which contacts the shank of'ashoe.

For resisting the pressure applied to a shoe and sole positioned uponthe sole pressing diaphragm I5, there is provided a last engaging member3| having astem 32- which is screw threaded into one end of the rockerarm 33 so that it may be adjusted heightwisetoa position favorable forall lastheights and then looked in position by the nut 34. The other endof the rocker arm 33 is provided with a depending boss 35 into which isscrew threaded vthestem 36 of a toe engaging member 31 and the nut 38serves to lock the toe engaging member in a selected heightwiseposition. The rocker arm 33 at its central portion is" provided withlaterally extending bosses 39 which'together span the entire width ofthe press and a rod 45, extending through and pressed into the bosses,serves to pivot the rocker arm to: the upstanding legs'4I of an invertedyoke member 42 which issecured tothe base casting ID by the screws 43.The forward or toe end of the rocker arm 33 is also provided withlaterally extending bosses 4.4, and the rod 45 which extendstherethrough, pivotally connects the rocker arm to one end of the links46 which are pivoted at their lower'ends by'the pins 41 to bosses'formedon the sides of thelower clamping ring IT.

The base casting I0 is provided with the lugs 48 so that the completepress can be mounted on the belt 49 of a shoe press machine, e. g: thatshown in the patent to Weiss No; 1,945,? 62.

Referrin to Fig. 2' showing the press with the lower chamber I9deflated, it can readily be seen that as fluid under pressure isadmitted into the lower chamber I9 via the valve 25, the pressurediaphragm I3 is dilated upwardly into contact with the-under surfaceofthe rigid pressure resisting plate [4 and displaces the body 29 offluid. As inflation of thelower chamber I9 continues and'the pressuretherein increases, the entire sole 4 pressing pad assembly, except forthe portion of the lower diaphragm I2 secured to the base casting I9, iselevated and carries with it the shoe placed upon the sole pressingdiaphragm I5. As upward movement of the sole pressing assembly occurs,the links 46, which are pivoted at their lower ends to the lowerclamping ring I1, also move'upwardl'y and by virtue of their pivotedconnection to the rocker arm 33 they swing the rocker arm about itspivot 49 so that the last engaging member 3I moves downwardly to meetthe rising shoe.

As previously stated, it is desirable that a comparatively low pressurebe applied to the forepart of theshoe and a considerably higher pressurelast engaging member is limited by the stops 59 which are secured to theupstanding legs 4| of the yoke 42 so that they engage the faces of thearcuatecams 5I and 52 pivoted at 53' and 54 .respectively to the topsurface of the upper clamping ring I6. The cams El and 52 are adjusted,by means hereinafter described, so that regardless ofthe size shoeplaced upon the sole pressing diaphragm I5, elevation of the solepressing pad assembly is arrested just as the shoe is clamped betweenthe 'sole pressing diaphragm and the toe and last engaging member andbefore any appreciable pressure is brought to bear against the shoebottom. Then, as inflation of the lower chamber I9 is continued to finalpressure, which may be in the order of lbs. per square inch, the portionof the pressure diaphragm I3 under the aperture 30 in the rigid pressureresisting plate I4, is dilated so that it is forced into the apertureuntil it comes to bear against the under side of the sole pressingdiaphragm and applies pressure to the shank portion of the shoe. As thepressure diaphragm I3 is forced into the aperture 39 it displaces thebody 29 of fluid in the up-- per chamber 29' and the displacedfluiddilate the forepart and heel portions of the soletpressingdiaphragm to apply a comparatively lower pressure to the forepart andheel portions of the shoe.

It will be readily'understood by those skilled, in the art, that thedifference in pressures applied to the'shank and other portions of theshoe can be varied by varying the pressure in the lower ehamber, byVarying the volume of fluid in the upper chamber, by varying theposition of the stop members 59 or by varying the position of the cams5| and 52.

To ensure that elevation of the sole pressing pad assembly will bearrested just as the shoe, regardless of its size, is clamped betweenthe sole pressing diaphragm I5 and the toe and last engaging members,and thereby the pressure applied to each shoe and the ballooning of thesole pressing diaphragm :around each shoe will be approximately uniform,the cams 5| and 52 are adjusted as the shoe is placed upon the solepressing diaphragm and is pushed forward into engagement with the-welthold-down 55. To accomplish this, the ball end studs 56 are secured tothe sides of the welt hold-down 55 and are socketed in the ends 5"! ofrods 58 which at their other ends 59 are socketed to the ball studs 60secured to the arms BI and 62 of the crank levers 6'3 and 64 pivoted at65 and 36 respectively to theupper clamping ring It. The link 61 ispivoted at 68 to'fthe cam 5| and at 69 to the crank lever 63. Likewise,the link It is pivoted at H to the cam 52 land at 1-2 to the crank lever64.

'cams and 52 will, by virtue of the connections described, be rotatedand thus position the cams to arrest elevation of the sole pressing Dadas the lower chamber I9 is inflated.

To inform an operator when the shoe has been correctly positioned uponthe sole pressing diaphragm and that the cams are properly positioned, asegment 89, which is graduated and numbered according to shoe sizes asdetermined by the shape of the cam surface which engages the stops 5!),is secured by the screws 8| to the clamping ring l6 and a pointer 82formed on the cam 52 is adapted to coincide with the number of the shoesize being, processed when it has been correctly positioned upon thesole pressing diaphragm.

The tension spring 83 which is secured at one end to the crank lever 64and at its other end to the clamping ring l6 serves to return the welthold-down and the cams 5| and 52 to a position ready to receive thesmallest size shoe to be processed.

In order to ensure that each of the cams 5| and 52 will be rotated aneven distance and thus prevent the sole pressing pad assembly fromtilting laterally when a shoe is being pressed, an equalizing device isprovided which comprises the lever 84 which is pivoted at 85 to theupper clamping ring l5 and which is connected by the links 86 and 8! tothe crank levers 63 and 64 in a manner which only permits equal rotationof the crank levers and the cams.

To vary the longitudinal tilt of the sole pressing pad assembly tocompensate for the various toe springs of lasts, the bracket 88 formedintegral with the lower clamping ring I! is threaded to receiv the stopscrew 89 which can be adjusted to strike the under side of the surfacell of the base casting Ill as the sole pressing pad is elevated.

Referring to Figs. 6 and '7, there is shown a modified sole pressing padassembly comprising the dilatable lower diaphragms 96 and 9 I, a rigidpressure resisting plate 92 having holes 93 formed therein at its shankportion, a pressure diaphragm 94, a rigid pressure resisting plate 95having an aperture 96 formed in its shank portion', and an upper or solepressing diaphragm 91, which are secured together by the upper and lowerclamping rings l6 and I1 and the spaced bolts IS in a manner which formsa lower fluid tight chamber 98, la, central fluid tight chamber 99, andan upper fluid tight chamber I00.

A body of fluid, e. g. water, is confined in the central chamber 99 anda body of similar fluid is confined in the upper chamber I00, and, as inthe previously described construction, the lower chamber 98 is adaptedto be inflated with a fluid via the Valve 25..

In operation of this modified sole pressing pad assembly, fluid underpressure is introduced into th lower chamber 98 and the complete solepressing pad assembly elevates until arrested by the stop mmeberspreviously described. As inflation of the lower chamber is continued tofinal pressure the diaphnagm 9| is forced against the pressure resistingplate 92 and displaces the fluid which passes through the holes 93causing the pressure diaphragm 94 to be dilated through the aperture inthe pressure resisting plate 95 where it applies pressure to the shankportion of the upper or sole pressing diaphragm 91. As the pressurediaphragm enters the aperture in the pressure resisting plate itdisplaces the fluid in the upper chamber I00 so that pressure is appliedto dilate the sole pressing diaphragm into pressing relation with theforepart and heel portions of the shoe.

With this construction, the difference in the pressures applied to theshank and other portions of the shoes depends upon the volume of fluidwithin the chambers 99 and I00 and as long as the lower chamber 98 isinflated to a pressure sufficient to displace the fluid in the centralchamher, an increased pressure in the lower chamber will not affect theultimate pressures applied to the shoe bottom since the diaphragm 9| isrestrained from further displacing the fluids in the upper chambers bythe under surface of the pres sure resisting plate 92.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction anddifferent embodiments of the invention could be made without departingfrom the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in theabove description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claim are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is:

1. In a shoe press, the combination comprising a dilatable sole pressingdiaphragm and a dilatable pressure applying diaphragm, a rigid pressureresisting plate located between said diaphragms, said resisting platehaving an aperture formed therein, means securing together the marginalportions of said diaphragms and said resisting plate, and means fordilating said pressure applying diaphragm to force it to enter theaperture in said resisting plate and to dilate said sole pressingdiaphragm.

2. In a shoe press, the combination comprising a dilatable sole pressingdiaphragm and a dilatable pressure applying diaphragm, a, rigid pressureresisting plate located between said diaphragms, said resisting platehaving an aperture formed therein, means securing together the marginalportions of said diaphragms and said resisting plate to form a chamberbetween said diaphragms, a body of fluid confined in said chamber, andmeans for dilating said pressure applying diaphragm to force it to enterthe aperture in said resisting plate to displace said body of fluid andto dilate said sole pressing diaphragm.

3. In a shoe press, the combination comprising a dilatable sole pressingdiaphragm and a dilatable pressure applying diaphragm, a rigid pressureresisting plate located between said diaphragms, said resisting platehaving an aperture formed therein, means securing together the marginalportions of said diaphragms and said resisting plate to form a chamberbetween said diaphragms, a body of fluid confined in said chamber, andfluid pressure means for dilating said pressure applying diaphragm toforce it to enter the aperture in said resisting plate to displace saidbody of fluid and to dilate said sole pressing diaphragm.

4. In a shoe press, the combination comprising three flexiblediaphragms, means securing toget'her the marginal portions ofv saiddiaphragms to form upper and lower chambers, a rigid: pressure resistingplate secured between thediaphragms formin said upper chamber, saidresisting plate havin an aperture formed therein, a body offluid-confinedwithin said upper chamber, and means for introducing fluidunder pressure into said lower chamber.

5, In a shoe press, the combination comprising a flexible sole pressingdiaphragm having forepart and shank engaging portions, a flexiblepressure applying diaphragm, a rigid pressure resisting plate locatedbetween said diaphragms, said resisting plate having formed therein anaperture located below the shank engaging portion of said sole pressingdiaphragm, means securing together the marginal portions of saiddiaphragms and said resisting plate to form a chamber between saiddiaphragms, a body of fluid in said chamber, and fluid pressure meansfor dilating a portion of said pressure applying diaphragm into saidaperture to contact and to apply a pressure to the shank portion of saidsole pressing diaphragm and to displace said body of fluid to apply adiilerent pressure to the. forepart portion of said sole pressingdiaphragm.

6. In a shoe press, the combination comprising a flexible sole pressingdiaphragm having. forepart, shank and heel engaging portions, a flexiblepressure applying diaphragm, a rigid pressure resisting plate locatedbetween said diaphragms, said resisting plate having formed therein anaperture located below the shank engaging portion of said sole pressingdiaphragm, means securing together the marginal portions of saiddiaphragms and said resisting plate to form a chamber between saiddiaphragms, a body of fiuid in said chamber, and fluid pressure meansfor dilating a portion of said pressure applying diaphragm into saidaperture to contact and to apply a pressure to the shank portion of saidsole pressing diaphragm and to displace said body of fluid to apply adiflerent pressure to the fore- .part and heel portions of said solepressing diaphragm.

'7. In a shoe press, the combination comprising three flexiblediaphragms arranged in superposition, means securing together themarginal portions of said diaphragm to form upper and lower chambers, abody of fluid confined in sai upper chamber, means for admittin fluidunder pressure into said lower chamber to urge the central diaphragminto contact with the upper diaphragm and to displace th fluid in saidupper chamber, and means for restraining selected portions of thecentral diaphragm from contacting the upper diaphragm.

8. In a shoe press, the combination comprising a pad support, adilatable pressing pad mounted upon said support, said pad having arigid flange around its periphery, shoe contacting members sustainedabove said pad, means for bodily elevating said pad upon its support tobring a shoe positioned thereon into engagement with said contactinmembers, means engageable with the rigid flange of said pad for limitingelevation of said pad, and means for dilating said pad to apply pressureto the bottom of the shoe engaged by said contacting members.

9. In a shoe press, the combination comprising a pad support, a solepressing pa mounted upon said support, shoe contacting members sustainedabove said pad, means for elevating said pad upon its support to bring ashoe placed thereoninto engagement with said contacting members, meansfor limiting'elevation of said pad, and means operable by positioning ofa shoe upon said pad to vary the effectiveness of said limiting means.

10; In a shoe press, the combination comprising a pad support, adilatable sole pressing pad mounted upon said support, shoe contactingmembers sustained above said pad, means for elevating said pad upon itssupport to bring a shoe positioned thereon into engagement with saidcontacting members, means for limiting elevation of said pad, meansoperable by positioning of the shoe upon said pad to Vary theeffectiveness of said limiting means according to the size of the shoepositioned, and means for dilating said sole pressing pad to applypressure to the bottom of the shoe positioned thereon.

11. In a shoe press, the combination comprising a pad support, adilatable sole pressing pad mounted upon said support, shoe contactingmembers sustained above said pad, means for elevating said pad upon itssupport to bring a shoe positioned thereon into engagement with saidcontacting members, means for limiting elevation of said pad, meansoperable by positioning of the shoe upon said pad to vary theeilectiveness of said limiting means according to the siZe of the shoepositioned, and means for dilating said sole pressing pad to applydifferent pressures to different portions of the shoe positionedthereon.

12. In a shoe press, the combination comprising a pad support, adilatable sole pressing pad mounted upon said support, shoe contactingmembers sustained above said pad, fluid pressure operated means forelevating said pad upon its support to bring a shoe positioned thereoninto engagement with said contacting members, means for limitingelevation of said pad, means operable by positioning of the shoe uponsaid pad to vary the ffectiveness of said limiting means, and fluidpressure operated means for dilating said sole pressing pad to applypressure to the bottom of the shoe positioned thereon.

13. In a shoe press, the combination comprising a pad support, aflexible sole pressing pad mounted upon said support, shoe contactingmembers sustained above said pad, means for elevating said pad upon itssupport to bring a shoe positioned thereon into engagement with saidcontacting members, means for limiting elevation of said pad, a welthold-down moveablymounted above said pad, and means operable by movementof said welt hold-down to vary the eifectiveness of said limiting means.

14. In a shoe press, the-combination comprising a pad support, aflexible sole pressing pad mounted upon said support, shoe contactingmembers sustained above said pad, means for elevatin said pad upon itssupport to bring a shoe positioned thereon into engagement with saidcontacting members, means for limiting elevation of said pad, a welthold-down moveably mounted above said pad, means operable by movement ofsaid welt hold-down to vary the effectiveness of said limiting means,and means for dilating said sole pressing pad to cause pressureto beapplied to the shoe positioned thereon.

15. In a shoe press, the combination comprising a pad support, a solepressing pad mounted upon said support, shoe contacting members mountedabove said pad, said contacting members being arranged for swingingmovement towards and away from said pad, means for elevating said padupon its support, and means connected to said pad and dependinguponelevation thereof for moving said contacting members.

16. In a shoe press, the combination compris- 9 ing a pad support, asole pressing pad mounted upon said support, shoe contacting membersmounted above said pad, said contacting members being arranged forswinging movementtowards and away from said pad, means for elevatingsaid pad and for moving said contacting members towards said pad, andmeans operable by positioning of a shoe upon said pad for limitingelevation of said pad and movement of said contacting members.

17. In a shoe press, the combination comprising a pad support, a solepressing pad mounted upon said support, shoe contacting members mountedabove said pad, said contacting members being arranged for movementtowards and away from said pad, means for elevating said pad upon itssupport and for moving said contacting members, means for limitingelevation of said pad and movement of said contacting members, a welthold-down mounted above said pad, and means connected to said welthold-down for varying the effectiveness of said limiting means.

18. In a shoe press, the combination comprising a pad support, a solepressing pad assembly mounted upon said support, a member extendingupwardly from said support, a lever pivoted at its central portion tosaid member, shoe contacting members depending from the ends of saidlever, and means connecting one end of said lever to said pressing padassembly.

19. In a shoe press, the combination comprising a, pad support, a solepressing pad mounted upon said support, said pressing pad having a rigidflange secured thereto, a, member extending upwardly from said support,a lever pivoted at its central portion to said member, shoe contactingmembers secured to the ends of said lever, and a link connecting one endof said lever to said rigid flange.

20. In a shoe press, the combination comprising a pad support, a solepressing pad mounted upon said support, said pad having a rigid flangesecured thereto, a leg member extending upwardly from said support, shoecontacting members connected to said leg member, means for elevatingsaid pad upon its support to bring a shoe positioned thereon intoengagement with said contacting members, a stop extending from said legmember, and means mounted upon said rigid flange for engaging said stopas said pad is elevated upon its support.

21. In a shoe press, the combination comprising a pad support, a solepressing pad mounted upon said support, said pad having a rigid flangesecured thereto, leg members extending upwardly from each side of saidsupport, a lever located between said leg members and pivoted at itscentral portion thereto, a shoe contacting member secured to each end ofsaid lever, a link connecting one end of said lever to said'rigidflange, stops secured to said leg members, means for elevating said padupon its support to bring a shoe positioned thereon towards said shoecontacting members and to swing said shoe contacting members towardssaid positioned shoe, cams adjustably mounted on said rigid flange andarranged to contact said stops as said pad is elevatedyand meansoperable by positioning of the shoe upon said pad for moving said camsto arrest elevation of said pad according to the size of the shoepositioned thereon.

22. In a shoe press, the combination comprising a pad support, a solepressing pad mounted upon said support, said pad having a rigid flangesecured thereto, leg members extending upwardly from each side of saidsupport, a lever located between said leg members and pivoted at itscentral portion thereto, a shoe contacting member secured to each end ofsaid lever, a link connecting one end of said lever to said rigidflange, stops secured to said leg members, means for elevating said padupon its support to bring a shoe positioned thereon towards said shoecontacting members and to swing said shoe contacting members towardssaid positioned shoe, cams adjustably. mounted on said rigid flange andarranged to contact said stops as said pad is elevated, a welt hold-downmounted above said pad, and means connected to said welt hold-down foradjusting the position of said earns.

23. In a shoe press, the combination comprising a pad support, a solepressing pad mounted upon said support, said pad having a rigid flangesecured thereto, leg members extending upwardly from each side of saidsupport, a lever located between said leg members and pivoted at itscentral portion thereto, a shoe contacting member secured to each end ofsaid lever, a link connecting one end of said lever to said rigidflange, stops secured to said leg members, means for elevating said padupon its support to bring a shoe positioned thereon towards said shoecontacting members and to swing said shoe contacting members towardssaid positioned shoe, cams adjustably mounted on said rigid flange andarranged to contact said stops as said pad is elevated, a welt hold-downmounted above said pad for movement longitudinally thereof, connectionsbetween said welt hold-down and said cams, and means urging said welthold-down towards the heel end of said sole pressing pad.

24. In a shoe press, the combination comprising a pad support, a solepressing pad mounted upon said support, said pad having a rigid flangesecured thereto, leg members extending upwardly from each side of saidsupport, a lever located between said leg members and pivoted at itscentral portion thereto, a shoe contacting member secured to each end ofsaid lever, a link connecting one end of said lever to said rigidflange, stops secured to said leg members, means for elevating said padupon its support to bring a shoe positioned thereon towards said shoecontacting members and to swing said shoe contacting members towardssaid positioned shoe, cams adjustably mounted on said rigid flange andarranged to contact said stops as said pad is elevated, a welt hold-downmounted above said pad for movement longitudinally thereof as a shoe ispositioned thereon, means operated by movement of said welt hold-downfor adjusting said cams, and means for equalizing adjustment of saidcams as said welt hold-down is moved.

25. A shoe press comprising a dilatable sole pressing diaphragm and apressure applying diaphragm, a rigid pressure resisting plate locatedbetween said diaphragms, said resisting plate having an aperture formedtherein, means securing together the marginal portions of saiddiaphragms and said resisting plate, a support for the assembly thusdefined, and means for bodily elevating the assembly upon its supportand for dilating said pressure applying diaphragm to force it to enterthe aperture in said resisting plate and to dilate said sole pressingdiaphragm.

26. A shoe press comprising a dilatable sole pressing diaphragm and apressure applying diaphragm, a rigid pressure resisting plate locatedbetween said diaphragms, said resisting plate having an aperture formedtherein, means secur- 11 ing-togetherthemarginal portions of saiddiaphragms and said resisting plate, a support for the assembly thusdefined, and fluid pressure operated means for bodily elevating theassembly upon'its support and for dilating said pressure applyingdiaphragm to force it to enter the aperture in said resisting plate andto dilate said sole pressing diaphragm.

2'7. A shoe press comprising a dilatable sole pressing diaphragm anda-pressure applying diaphragm, a rigid pressure resisting plate locatedbetween said diaphragms, said resisting plate having an apertureformedtherein, means securing-together the marginal portions of saiddiaphragms and said resisting plate, a support for the assembly thusdefined, shoe contacting members sustained above said support, means forbodily elevating the assembly upon its support to bring a shoe placedthereon into engagement with said contacting members, and means fordilating said pressure applying diaphragm to force it to enter theaperture in said resisting plate and .to dilate said sole pressingdiaphragm.

28LA shoe press comprising a dilatable sole pressing diaphragmand apressure applying diaphragm, a rigid pressure resisting plate locatedbetween said diaphragms, said resisting plate having'an aperture formedtherein, means securing together the marginal portions of saiddiaphragms and said resisting plate, a support for the assembly thusdefined, shoe contacting members sustained above said support, fluidpressure operated means for bodily elevating the assembly upon itssupport to bring a shoe placed thereon into engagement with saidcontacting members, and fluid pressure operated means for dilating saidpressure applying diaphragm to force it to enter the aperture in saidresisting plate and to dilate said sole pressing diaphragm.

29. A shoe press comprising a dilatable sole pressing diaphragm and apressure applying diaphragm, a rigid pressure resisting plate locatedbetween said diaphragms, said resisting plate having an aperture formedtherein, means securing together the marginal portions of saiddiaphragms and said resisting plate, a support for the'assembly thusdefined, shoe contacting members sustained above said support, saidcontacting members being arranged for swinging movement towards saidsupport, connectionsbetween said contacting members and said assembly,means for bodily elevating said assembly upon its support to bring ashoe placed thereon towards said contacting members and to swing saidcontacting members towards said shoe, and means for dilatingsaidpressure applying diaphragm to force it to enter the aperture insaid resisting plate and to dilate said sole pressing diaphragm.

30. A shoe press comprising a dilatable sole pressing diaphragm and apressure applying diaphragm, a rigid pressure resisting plate locatedbetween said diaphragms, said resisting plate having an aperture formedtherein, means securing together the marginal portions of saiddiaphragms and said resisting plate, a support for the assembly thusdefined, shoe contacting members sustained above said support, saidcontacting members being arranged for swinging movement towards saidsupport, connections between said contacting members and said assembly,fluid pressure operated means for bodily elevating said assembly uponits support to bring a shoe placed thereon towards said contactingmembers and to swing said contacting members towards said shoe,

and fluid pressure operated means for dilating said pressure applyingdiaphragm to force it to enter the aperture in said resisting plate andto members being arranged for swinging movement.

towards-said support, connections between said contacting members andsaid assembly, means for bodily elevating said assembly upon its'supportto bring a shoe placed thereon towards said contacting members and toswing said contacting members towards said shoe, means for limitingelevation of said assembly, and means for dilatingsaid pressure applyingdiaphragm toforce it to enter the aperture in said resisting plate andto dilate said sole pressing diaphragm.-

32. A shoe press comprising a dilatable sole pressing diaphragm and apressure applying diaphragm, a rigid pressure resisting plate locatedbetween said diaphragms, said resisting plate having an aperture formedtherein, means securing together the marginal portions of saiddiaphragms and said resisting plate, a support for the assembly thusdefined, shoe contacting members sustained above said support, saidcontacting member being arranged for swinging movement towards saidsupport, connections between said contacting members and said assemblyfiuid pressure operated means for bodily elevating said assembly uponits support to bring a shoe placed thereon towards said contactingmembers and to swing saiducontacting members towards said shoe, meansfor limiting elevation of said assembly, and fluid pressure operatedmeans for dilating said pressure apply.- ing diaphragm to force it toenter the aperture in said resisting plate and to dilate said solepressing diaphragm.

33. A shoe press comprising a dilatable sole pressing diaphragm andapressure applying diaphragm, a rigid pressure resisting plate locatedbetween said 'diaphragms, said resisting plate having an aperture formedtherein, means securing together t'he'marginal portions of saiddiaphragms and said resisting plate, a support for the assembly thusdefined, shoe contacting members sustained above said support, saidcontacting members being arranged for swinging movement towards saidsupport, connections between said contacting members :and said assembly,means for bodily elevating said assembly upon its support to bring ashoe placed thereon towards said contacting members .and to swing saidcontacting members towards said shoe, means for limiting elevation ofsaid assembly, means operable by positioning of a shoe upon saidassembly for varying the e'fiectiven'ess of said limitin means, andmeans for dilating said pressure applying diaphragm to force-it to enterthe aperture in said resisting plate and to dilate said sole pressingdiaphragm.

34. A shoe press comprising a dilatable sole pressing diaphragm and apressure applyin'g'diaphragm, a rigid pressure resisting plate locatedbetween said diaphragms, said resisting plate having an aperture formedtherein, means securing-togetherthemarginal portions of said diaphragms{and said resisting pl'ate,'a support for the-assembly thus defined,shoe contactingmembers sustained above said support, said contactingmembers being arranged for swinging movement towards said support,connections between said contacting members and said assemb1y, fluidpressure operated means for bodily elevating said assembly upon itssupport to bring a shoe placed thereon towards said contacting membersand to swing said contacting members towards said shoe, means forlimiting elevation of said assembly, means operable by positioning of ashoe upon said assembly for varying the effectiveness of said limitingmeans, and fluid pressure operated means for dilatin said pressureapplying diaphragm to force it to enter the aperture in said resistingplate and to dilate said sole pressing diaphragm.

35. A shoe press comprising a dilatable sole pressing diaphragm and apressure applying diaphragm, a rigid pressure resisting plate locatedbetween said diaphragms, said resistin plate having an aperture formedtherein, means securing together the marginal portions of saiddiaphragms and said resisting plate, a body of fluid confined betweensaid diaphragms, a support for the assembly thus defined, shoecontacting members sustained above said support, said contacting membersbeing arranged for swinging movement towards said support, connectionsbetween said contacting members and said assembly, means for bodilyelevating said assembly upon its support to bring a shoe placed thereontowards said contacting members and to swing said contacting memberstowards said shoe, means for limiting elevation of said assembly, meansoperable by positioning of a shoe upon said assembly for varying theeffectiveness of said said limiting means, and means for dilating saidpressure applying diaphragm to force it to enter the aperture in saidresisting plate to displace said body of fluid and to dilate said solepressing diaphragm.

36. A shoe press comprising a dilatable sole pressing diaphragm and apressure applying diaphragm, a rigid pressure resisting plate locatedbetween said diaphragms, said resisting plate having an aperture formedthereon, means securing together the marginal portions of saiddiaphragms and said resisting plate, a body of fluid confined betweensaid diaphragms, a support for the assembly thus defined, shoe contacting members sustained above said support, said contacting membersbein arranged for swinging movement towards said support, connectionsbetween said contacting members and said assembly, fiuid pressureoperated means for bodily elevating said assembly upon its support tobring a shoe placed thereon towards said contacting members and to swingsaid contacting members towards said shoe, means for limiting elevationof said assembly, means operable by positioning of a shoe upon saidassembly for varying the effectiveness of said limiting means, and fluidpressure operated means for dilating said pressure applying diaphragm toforce it to enter theaperture in said resisting plate to displace saidbody of fluid and to dilate said sole pressing diaphragm.

37. A shoe press comprising a pad support, three flexible diaphragmsarranged in superposition upon said support, means securing together themarginal portions of said diaphragms to form upper and lower chambers, arigid pressure resisting plate secured between the diaphragms formingsaid upper chamber, said resisting plate having an aperture formedtherein, a body of fluid confined in said upper chamber, shoe contactingmembers sustained above said support, and means for inflating said lowerchamber.

FRED DAWSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

